The bill, which was sponsored by Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, (D-Los Angeles) represents new thinking in the area of product stewardship in that it incentivizes carpet recycling by rewarding those entrepreneurs and inventors who produce marketable products made from post-consumer carpet, the release stated.

The bill, which has been passed by both houses of the California Assembly and is awaiting the Governor''s signature, generates revenue through an initial assessment of 5-cents per square yard of carpet sold in California, the release noted.

According to the release, manufacturers — either singly or as a group — will be required to establish a stewardship plan with the state for implementing carpet recycling. Stewardship plans will encompass consumer education efforts, the assessment of fees, and progress measurement and reporting.